Solar Panel Foundation
Solar Panel Foundations, also called Solar Panel Mounting Foundations, Solar Mounting Screws, Solar self-drilling screws or Solar ground screws, are used to create a secure and stable mounting point for solar panels. Made with helical piles or anchors, the foundation supports the solar panels against uplift forces caused by wind or soil movement.
Solar panels are typically mounted outdoors and are subject to extreme weather conditions such as storms, winds, and torrential rains. A strong foundation is needed to keep the panels in place and prevent damage. Helical piles serve this purpose by creating a firm and stable foundation.
The structure of the foundation piles features a steel shaft with blades (helices) attached to it. The piles can come with a plate that acts as the attachment point where the solar panel bracket is attached. Clamps can also be attached to the pile to connect the solar panel brackets to the foundation piles.
The foundation piles for solar panels are typically screwed into the ground by torquing. The tapered blades or helices of the anchor penetrate the ground into firm and competent soil layers where they help in distributing structural loads.
The easy-to-install design of the helical piles makes it easy to create a solid foundation for solar panels with minimal destruction to the ground. No excavation or heavy equipment is needed saving on both time and costs. The helical piles can also be easily uninstalled when no longer needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits of Solar Panel Foundation
- Solar panels can be mounted immediately after installing the pile foundation.
- Ideal for all soil types, even hard, dense and rocky soils.
- Grading of the soil is not required.
- Can be installed in any weather.
- No heavy machinery required for installation.
- Eco-friendly
- Can be easily uninstalled.
How to install Solar Panel Foundations?
The helical piles are screwed or rotated into the ground using rotary equipment or a hydraulic drive head.
During the installation the stinger, or pointed end of the pile pierces the ground creating the entry point into the soil.
As the pile is rotated, the helices gradually screw into the soil embedding into the deep soil layers. The helices not only make installation easy but ensure that the pile is firmly anchored by creating resistance against soil movement.
During installation, the torque should be monitored continuously with a calibrated device. This is to test the torque capacity of the pile and ensure that they will meet the load capacity required to support the solar panels.
Where should Solar Panel Foundations be used?
- When mounting solar panels in questionable soils with dense, uneven or loose soils where standard foundations may not be adequate.
- When solar panels need to be mounted in an environmentally sensitive area where minimal ground disturbance is required.
- They can be used for both commercial and residential solar projects since they are cost effective
- They can be used when the installation is temporary since they can be easily uninstalled and reused or repositioned.
- They can be used for areas with limited mobility or access since no heavy-duty equipment is required for installation.